Washing-machine



L. H. DE COSTER. WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, |920.

1 ,385,205, Patented July 19, 1921.

[ 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

L; H. DE COSTER. WASHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, I92o.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented July 19, 1921.

UNITED sTATesPATENT OFFICE.

LESTER H. DE COSTEB, 0F JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

.WASHING-MACHINE.

Application led April 15,

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, LESTER H. DE CosTER, a citizen of the United States, residin at Jackson, in the county of Jackson and tate of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines.

It relates more particularly to washing machines of the so-called vacuum cup or plunger type. y

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved washing machine of the above type.

Another object is to provide such a washing machine wherein the chance for escap-` ing steam is reduced.

Another object is to provide a washing machine wherein the vacuum cups or pounders cooperate to increase the circulation of the clothes and the cover of the tub maybe substantially closed.

Another object is to automatically regulate the amount of reciprocation of the plungers in accordance with the amount or depth of the clothes being washed.

Another object is to provide a washing machine of the type described which will be more durable and may be more readily kept in a sanitary condition.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

An embodiment of the invention applied to a manually operated machine is illustra-ted in the accompanyingr drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe mechanism. p

Fig. 2 is a central section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central, vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragment of a part of one of the plunger rods showing parts in section.

-Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same at right angles to Fig. 4.

In all of the views the same reference characters are used to indicate similar parts.

This invention is shown as embodied in a hand-operated machine, to simplify the disclosure. It will be manifest, of course, that it may be power driven if desired.

The usual round tub 10 may be used in connection with the removable and replaceable machine 11.V

Specification of Letters Patent.

the oval figure shown in dotted lines at 1920. Serial No. 374,002.

'I he machine has a base plate 12 upon which the machinery is mounted and which serves as a cover for the tub 10. Mounted on the cover 12 are two spaced-apart standards 13 and 14: to provide bearings 15 and 16 for` the outer endsof the shafts 17 and 18, respectively. A central bracket 19 provides supports for the inner `ends ofthe spaced-apart shafts 17 and 18.

On the shaft 17 is a spur gear pinion 20 and on the shaft 18 is an intermeshing spur gear pinion 21. When the handle 22 is turned to rotate the shaft 18, the shaft 17 is thereby rotated in the opposite direction. The shaft 18 is bent into a crank 23 and the shaft .17 is provided with a crank 24: on the opposlte side. A bracket 25 is supported on each of the cranks, and is slidable on its plunger rods 26 and 27, respectively. To prevent the bracket 25 from cramping on its rod, a slidable collar 28 is spaced away and located some distance below the bracket and connected thereto by side rods 29 and 30j The side rods are spaced away from their respective plunger rods 26 and 27 to leave room for an open helical spring 31. The upper end of the spring bears against the lower end of the bracket as at 32, and the lower end is adjustably secured to the rods 26 and 27 as by a collar 33 and set screw 34. The vacuum cups 35 are secured to the lower ends of the rods 26 and 27.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows When the handle 22 is rotated clockwise, for example, the cups 35 are moved up and down in the tub. Because of the fact that the cranks are at all times located on opposite sides of a common longitudinal axis, one cup will be ascending while the other is descending.

The plunger rods pass through apertures 36 made through the plate 12, and this opening in each case serves as a pivotal point for the rod. In other words the plungers are pivoted on points substantially in the plane of the cover. The plungers substantially fill the openings in the cover so that the chance for escape of steam and water is reduced to a minimum. A given point of the cup 35 moves through a path represented by and since the longest axis of this oblate path is inclined from a vertical plane, the effect of the cups by their contact with the clothes is to move the clothes around in the tub in a Patented July 19, 1921.`

circumferential direction. Since the cranks are rotated in opposite directions the movement of one crank supplements this effect of the other in the circumferential movement of the clothes so that all parts of the clothes are thus successively brought under the influence of the cups.v Another effect produced is that the suction of one cup raises the clothes on one side of the tub While the compression effect of the cup on the other side of the tub depresses the clothes. In this Way the clothes arev given a circumferential movement and an up and down motion.

The springs 31 are compressed7 to a greater; or less degree, by the down stroke of the cup, to compensate for variation of thicknessof the clothes and to give a` longer compression dwell of the cupto` allow the air more time to. escape from the cup through the clothes. Thebearing portion 25 of the bracket 25-is cut away at 40 to permit the crank to be inserted, then the cut-away part 4l; iS replaced and two steel spring snap rings 42, one at each end is placed in grooves madeinthe parts 25 and 41 to hold the latter in` place. By taking the rings 42 out ofV theirgrooves the partsl may quickly be disassembled. A ring 43 may be secured to the bottom marginal edge of the plate l2 to hold the device on.V the tub.

The compression springs are located entirely outside of the tub` and are consequently protected from the action of the steam and water. The springs will, in consequence, last longer and may be kept cleaner.

The device may be lifted clear of and removed from the tub and any suitable means may be employed to latch and hold it` on the tub. rThe device is adapted for use with any standard size tub, either wood cr metal.

While I have herein disclosed a single embodiment of my invention, it is manifest that numerous changes may he made in the configuration and disposition of the parts within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by lietters Patent is In combination with a washing machine having a tub; a substantially closed cover therefor; a crank rotatably supported on the cover; a plunger rod passing through the cover and pivoted in the opening of the cover; a bracket slidable on the rod and pivoted to the crank; a rin-g spaced away from the bracket. slidable on the rod; side rods on each side of the plunger rod connecting' the ring and bracket; a spring wound about the plunger rod and bracket and an axially adjustable collar on the plunger rod at one end of the spring.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name.

LESTER H. DE COSTER. 

